Josh Abbott Band Tribute Pat Green With ‘Take Me Out to a Dancehall’ [Exclusive Premiere]

Josh Abbott Band are one of the most popular and influential groups in the Texas music scene today, and they pay homage to their own roots with a new project that is close to their hearts.

JAB have recorded a tribute to Texas music icon Pat Green that they are sharing for the first time with Taste of Country readers. It's a stellar cover version of Green's "Take Me Out to a Dancehall" as part of a new tribute album to Green titled Dancehall Dreamin': A Tribute to Pat Green. Green wrote "Take Me Out to a Dancehall" and recorded the song as part of his debut major label solo album, Three Days, in 2001.

Ironically, Willie Nelson helped inspire the song, and he appeared on that album with Green on a different track titled "Threadbare Gypsy Soul."

“I had a song in mind about Billy Bob’s Texas, and about some times I had there in college with Willie Nelson, and that’s how the song came about," Green tells us. "And to have Josh Abbott record that song, who also went to Texas Tech, same place I did, it’s just a huge compliment. He has a control over his vocal range like very few people. I don’t know how to compliment him highly enough, but I sure wish I could sing like that guy."

"To say that Pat Green belongs on the Mount Rushmore of Texas Country is incontrovertible," Abbott states. "His influence on the scene is enormous, and I’m proud to be a part of an album that honors his legacy. I fell in love with this genre because of Pat Green and songs like 'Take Me Out to a Dancehall.'"

"Take Me Out to a Dancehall" is one of 20 tracks on Dancehall Dreamin': A Tribute to Pat Green, which is set for release on April 5, Green's birthday. The album also includes tributes from Jack Ingram, Randy Rogers Band with Radney Foster, Aaron Watson, Kevin Fowler and more. It is currently available for pre-order via all major digital music retailers. For more information, please visit Green's official website.